On March 11, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the United States to "lend" arms, food, raw materials, and other items, to be repaid later. The bill allowed Roosevelt to bypass laws preventing the extension of credit to countries that still had an outstanding debt from WWI, among other barriers. This step was one short of entering the war and the result was immeasurable.
“Never again let us hear the taunt that money is the ruling power in the hearts and thoughts of the American democracy. The Lease-Lend Bill must be regarded without question as the most unsordid act in the whole of recorded history." - Winston Churchill, 1941
The first shipments contained an unfamiliar sight to the English and the Soviets: canned processed meat, a good portion of which was SPAM. By the time the war was over, the Soviet Union alone would receive 485,000 tonnes of canned meat. SPAM acquired a dubious reputation during the war, the result of the brand name "SPAM" being applied to all of the canned meat products, even those containing ingredients such as ears and snouts. SPAM is not made with those, but the distinction was not always recognized. Despite that reputation, SPAM's importance would not be overlooked.
“A war-time delicacy.” - Margaret Thatcher, referring to SPAM
“This is London. Although the Christmas table will not be lavish, there will be SPAM luncheon meat for everyone.” - Edward R. Murrow, 1942
“Without Spam, we wouldn’t have been able to feed our army.” - Nikita Khruschev
“During World War II, of course, I ate my share of Spam along with millions of other soldiers. I’ll even confess to a few unkind remarks about it—uttered during the strain of battle, you understand. But as former Commander-in-Chief, I believe I can still officially forgive you your only sin: sending us so much of it.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower
SPAM would continue to serve the United States, and the world, throughout the war and long after, remaining the premier canned meat to this day. Rest assured, however, that it is ready at a moment's notice to answer a call to arms.
-Professor Walter
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